clipped from: www.bloomberg.com   
U.S. House Blocks $163 Billion for Conflict in Iraq (Update3)

May 15 (Bloomberg) -- Anti-war Democrats and Republicans who objected to Democratic tactics in the U.S. House defeated a measure to provide $163 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan until next summer.


Lawmakers rejected the measure by a 149 to 141 vote today with more than 130 members voting ``present.'' Many Democrats have refused to support spending on a war that they oppose, and Republicans opposed the legislation because the process limited their usual opportunity to offer alternate legislation.


``This is a $200 billion spending bill in which Republicans were shut out of the process,'' said Republican Tom Davis of Virginia, who voted present.


Some anti-war Democrats cheered, shouting, ``The war is over.''


The government has enough money to pay for the war through July under current law

Democrats knew before the vote that many in their party, including Pelosi, would vote against the war funding.